Never using a belt okay?

[super_rice]

the idea is great, keep your back steady and straight and protected with the belt while doing deads.

but then when you think about it, deadlift is supposed to strengthen your erectors... your lower back..

so though you have a higher number, you don't reap the benefits of the exercise. you don't strengthen your lower back as much and therefore you're doing the exercise for nothing (well, not for NOTHING, but you get what i mean..)

so it's like... you do an exercise that targets your back with something that makes it so that your back is not targeted as much... it just don't make sense

 

[Cuthbert]

If you build a strong and healthy back otherwise.. there is no harm in doing heavy deadlifts/squats with a belt.

ALL my deadlifting and overhead work is done with a belt, and most of my squatting. However, I also do a lot of lower back and abdominal work to keep my core stong.

IMO as long as you have a healthy and strong core.. do what you like.

 

[supreme]

The belt is a waste of time, especially if you do athletics because outside of lifting no sport allows you to wear a belt. The belt teaches you the wrong recruitment patterns of your core musculature.

 

[b fold the truth]

I do most all my heavy event training with a belt on...as well as any other piece of equipment that I can wear...lol.

I don't wear one in gym lifts though...unless I am doing a squat with support gear.

B True

 

[needsize]

I havent used a belt in years and my back actually got better. I go raw for both working sets and maxes, that includes the 625 dead that I pulled. Plus, using a belt sets you up for a hernia

 

[thorsky]

No belt for me. My weights are pathetically low campared to yours though.

 

[Lord_Suston]

No belt untill Comp, I need my lower back to be as strong as possible, But I am a firm believer in perfect form, if it isn't perfect then the attempt doesn't count in my own experiences

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

I have never used a belt in my life and i getting to the point that i am worried that all that weight might be too much pressure on my spine and discs...should i start wearing a belt on my very heavy lifts (80%+of my max)?

belt wont help with the down pressure but I am of the line of thinking that it should be used when within 80% or so of your max. I wear it when doing 5 or fewer reps. For you, why fix what ain't broke?